How to get from Madrid airport to Toledo. How to conveniently and quickly get from Madrid to Toledo. Tourist Card Toledo Card
We did not stay for the third day in Madrid.
The only thing left unvisited from what we had planned was the Royal Palace, but it didn’t work out for us. On the first day it was already closed, on the second it did not fit into our hikes, but today, the third day, it was simply closed to visitors. Therefore, we risked postponing his visit until the day of departure, i.e. tomorrow, and, after consulting with the all-knowing Mr. Internet, we went to Toledo.
Madrid - Toledo
Toledo can be reached by train and bus. By train it’s faster, only half an hour, but by bus it’s half the price. We had nowhere to rush, so we chose a bus - we'll go for a ride, see the roads and surroundings, and save a lot :)
To be honest, it took a very long time to get to the bus station. I was already thinking that I should have used public transport or taken a taxi (by the way, on the way back we did just that, we took the metro). But the world around us never ceased to please the eye. Still, beauty reigns in Madrid, and in every corner of it. There, you look, there is a church, there is a park, there is a bridge, there is a building, there are people, there are ducks... And here is the bus station :)
We bought tickets from a machine. Round trip (round trip) - this turns out to be another two euros cheaper, only 9.77 € per person. Tickets are sold without price and seat, i.e. Whatever flight I was on time for, I went on that one. Beauty!
We didn’t have to wait long for the bus and we left Madrid on the first bus heading to Toledo. The roads are magnificent, fellow travelers, Chinese girls are funny, in short, the ride was not boring.
We were unable to find a free map of the city at the station; I even tried to ask if there was an information center. And, oh, Miracle!, it was found, but was closed. Therefore, just in case, having photographed a map of Toledo hanging in the center of the bus station, we went out into the city.
Walled City
Toledo is a wonderful tourist town, preserved in its almost original form and hiding all its attractions inside the fortress walls. This tiny spot on the top of the hill is still full of life. Here, residential buildings have not lost their original purpose, remaining residential. Tiny shops and cafes on narrow, intricate streets, inconspicuous tiny and simply incredible-sized temples (and how did they fit into this city, or maybe the city fit into these temples?), pedestrian sidewalks and roadways that are no different from each other. And to my great surprise, public transport is on such narrow streets. And also ordinary people. Grandmothers leading their grandchildren by the hand. Children kicking a ball. Chirping schoolchildren with backpacks. And wonderful views. This is all Toledo.
Rarely a tourist decides to make a pedestrian ascent to the main gate of Toledo. Why, because there are escalators! But we knew nothing about them and in our ignorance we took a wonderful walk along the fortress walls of the ancient city and entered the city like almost real kings (the real ones were on horseback, for sure :)). A long time ago, the main gate of Toledo - Puerto Bisagra - was built for the triumphal entry of King Charles V, who, after all, at one time was the ruler of almost half the world!
The Bisgara gate consists of two parts - internal and external, and between them a closed courtyard was formed, where King Charles V still reigns today, although in stone.
Literally right at the entrance to the city we were greeted by an ancient church - Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal (Santiago del Arabal), which has gone through several transformations over its centuries-old history. At first, the ancient Germanic tribe of the Visigoths ruled here, which is why the temple was Visigothic. Then the Arabs came to these lands and the temple became a mosque, and then, after their expulsion, the mosque again turned into a Christian temple.
You can't wear heels in Toledo. The stone pavements simply shout: “Take off your shoes! Change your shoes!”
Cathedral of Toledo
Of course, the first thing we did was head through the narrow streets to the main cathedral of Toledo - the Cathedral. And as always, we managed to find some kind of secret entrance :) I also thought then that the entrance behind the fence looked somehow strange for such an important cathedral. When we entered, it turned out that this was the entrance for parishioners. For them, a small space was fenced off in the temple, from where there was no opportunity to walk around the temple, but to examine and get an idea of the greatness of this place is quite enough.
They entered and were speechless from the beauty that fell into their eyes. I can safely say that the Toledo Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world! Of course, this is the main cathedral of Spain! Apparently all the ancient cathedrals of Toledo have the same story. First in the 5th century AD. The Visigoths begin construction of the temple, then the Pyrenees Moors turn it into a mosque, and already in the 13th century the mosque recaptured by the Christians becomes a temple.
The cathedral contains a rich collection of paintings - Caravaggio, Titian, El Greco - and simply an incredible number of gilded sculptures and stained glass windows. There are so many details that it is practically impossible to focus on anything specific.
Entrance to the temple through the main portal - Puerta del Perdon - was paid for tourists - 10 €. We decided that we got a general idea of the temple, we saw the interior decoration, but that we wouldn’t see the art gallery, well, not just yesterday, we were in Prado... In general, we decided not to go, and now I regret a little that we didn’t go.
And after the temple we completely disappeared into Toledo.
We wandered aimlessly through the streets of the ancient city for a long time, enjoying the Middle Ages. In one of the fruit shops they piled up some fruit and gobbled it up unwashed (oh, horror!), sitting by the fountain under a spreading tree with leaves similar to acacia leaves.
Here in Toledo, I have completely lost the tourist excitement. Now I madly regret it, but then it was so pleasant for me to wander aimlessly through the narrow streets that it didn’t matter at all what temple I passed by, what area I was in, what I saw. We didn’t go to the ancient stone bridge of Alcantara and didn’t even cross to the other side of the river, we didn’t see the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, we didn’t look at the El Greco Museum and the Military Museum. But!
The distance between the cities is only 73 kilometers, and you can travel this distance in just an hour. This option is especially convenient if you are traveling with family or several friends. You need to follow the A-42 highway, it is in very good condition, you can see this in the photo:
Route diagram:
From Madrid to Toledo by train
Trains depart from PUERTA DE ATOCHA train station every hour. The AVANT train serves passengers. Trains run until 10 pm. You will reach in 33 minutes.
Ticket price
The cost of a ticket to Toledo is 12.9 euros in Turista class.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office of the PUERTA DE ATOCHA station or booked on the website: https://venta.renfe.com/vol/ho.... However, after booking, tickets must be printed from the machine, where in special fields you will need to enter the promotional code that is given on the website after booking. If you want to buy a ticket at Kaas, I advise you to come to the station about an hour before departure and wait in line at the international ticket office.
Photo of the train:
From Madrid to Toledo by bus
Buses leave for Toledo from the Plaza Eliptica bus station approximately every thirty minutes. Buses run from six in the morning until eleven in the evening. You will spend 1 hour - 1 hour 30 minutes on the way. One of the companies serving passengers is the Alsa bus company. The bus station is located next to the Plaza Eliptica station. The advantage of traveling by bus is that the buses go directly to the historical center of Toledo, and if you travel by train, you will have to get to the city center from the station by public transport.
Ticket prices
At the moment, on the Alsa company website the stated price for the route to Toledo is 5.4 euros.
Where to buy tickets?
At the Plaza Eliptica station ticket office or on the website: Plaza Eliptica
Photo of the Alsa bus:
From Madrid to Toledo by taxi
If you order a taxi, it will get you there in one hour in very comfortable conditions.
The cost of travel
The cost of a taxi ride to Toledo is about 120 euros.
As you can see, getting there is very, very easy! Even a child can make such a trip. Enjoy your holiday and have a safe journey!
The distance between Madrid and Toledo is about 73 km. If you are interested in the fastest option, then this is the high-speed train. By bus the journey will take at least twice as long, but the ticket will be much cheaper.
Read our article about how to get from Madrid to Toledo on your own and where to buy tickets in advance. Information on schedules and ticket prices is presented as of 2019. Check departure times, prices and flight availability for a specific date when booking your tickets.
From Madrid to Toledo by bus
The cheapest way to get to Toledo from the capital of Spain is by ALSA bus. The ticket price is approximately two times lower than in the case of a train!
On the other hand, the trip will take longer: by bus you will get there in about an hour, while by train it can be done in half an hour.
Most often, buses from the ALSA carrier operate in this direction: a huge number of flights are carried out per day with 15-30-minute intervals. The very first bus leaves at 6.00 am, the latest – at 00.00.
All routes are direct and operate without transfers from the Madrid Plaza Eliptica stop to the Estación de Autobuses Toledo bus station.
Please note: travel duration varies depending on departure time. There are flights that will take you to your destination city in 1 hour, and there are options with a travel time of 1 hour 30 minutes.
Pay attention to this when booking your ticket so you can spend less time on the road.
The ticket price is only 5 Euro.
Bus Jimenez
Another option to get to Toledo without transfers is by taking the Jimenez bus. It departs from Plaza de España every day at 9.00, 10.30 and 12.00.
Arrives at the Parada para autobuses stop, Avenida de Castilla-La Mancha (Ronda del Granadal) in just 50 minutes! It's even faster than the ALSA bus.
However, a ticket for this bus will cost more - about 12 Euros.
Buy a bus ticket Madrid - Toledo online
It is convenient to view the exact schedule of ALSA and Jimenez buses, as well as the travel time of each flight, in advance on the Russian-language website www.omio.ru. There you can easily choose an option with minimal travel time and save not only time, but also money. After all, prices may be higher closer to departure, and there may not be any seats left on the desired flight.
After purchasing, the ticket will be sent to your email: print it out and present it to the driver when boarding. This way you will avoid unnecessary queues, searching for a ticket office and the need to spend more time on the road if you do not take care of choosing the right flight in advance.
Bus Samara
In addition, you can travel in this direction by Samar bus. It departs every 20 minutes: the first flight is at 6.45, the last at 22.00. You will spend more time on the road than with the ALSA bus - 2 hours 15 minutes.
Departs from the southern bus station Estacion sur, making about 13 stops along the way.
The ticket price is slightly higher than for the ALSA bus, and is about 7 Euros. You can view the exact schedule and purchase tickets on the website samar.es.
From Madrid to Toledo by train
On a high-speed train that runs a direct route between these cities, the travel time will pass quickly - the ride is only 30 minutes.
They do not depart as often as buses, but there are enough flights: choosing the right departure time will not be difficult.
The train is a convenient way to visit Toledo for the day.
AVANT high-speed train
The first high-speed AVANT train departs from Madrid Atocha main station at 6.50 am, the last at 21.50 pm. The movement interval is about 1 hour. Trains arrive at Toledo station. Travel time is only 33 minutes.
The price of a ticket for the AVANT train starts from 13 Euros and depends on the advance of purchase.
Buy a ticket for the Madrid - Toledo train online
It is advisable to purchase a train ticket in advance to get it at the lowest cost. In addition, seats on a suitable flight may be sold out, since the train is a popular option. You can purchase a ticket in Russian on the website www.omio.ru. This way you don’t have to deal with all the information in Spanish or English on the spot.
You will receive your purchased ticket by email. There is no need to validate your paper ticket anywhere: just show it to the train inspector. The ticket is also available in a mobile version if you download the application to your smartphone.
From Madrid to Toledo by car
It’s even easier to rent a car and drive to Toledo on your own. The journey will take approximately 50 minutes along a direct route.
The ideal option would be to create your own route through Spanish cities, without adjusting to public transport schedules.
Look at all car options and compare prices on the Russian-language website www.rentalcars.com.
How to save money on a hotel in Toledo
If you're traveling to Toledo for a few days, check in advance where you can stay. To compare prices and book a hotel or apartment, it is beneficial to use the RoomGuru website in Russian.
This aggregator combines offers from various booking systems (Booking, Agoda, Ostrovok), so you can choose a hotel at the lowest cost.
An independent trip to Spain allowed me to see the sights of Toledo, see the Toledo Cathedral, visit churches and museums, taste Spanish cuisine, buy souvenirs in Toledo; if you want to know more, read the story about an independent trip to Spain
Some cities in the vicinity of Madrid attract tourists with their outstanding attractions, others with their historical value, but Toledo has both at once. This amazing city not only has a huge cathedral, many extraordinary churches and impressive fortress walls, but it has also managed to preserve its ancient quarters virtually untouched.
In ancient times, ancient Toletum was a settlement of the Iberian Carpetani tribe, which the Romans conquered in 192 BC. A new step in the life of the city was its transformation into the capital of the Visigoth kingdom, but the music did not play for long, as they say: Toledo had capital status only from the middle of the 6th century AD until 711, when it was captured by the Arabs. This part of Castile remained in the hands of the Moors, who occupied almost the entire Iberian Peninsula, for more than three and a half centuries, until the soldiers of King Alfonso VI recaptured it in 1085. By that time, Toledo had become a major center of arms manufacturing: Toledo steel blades were literally worth their weight in gold. After liberation from Arab rule, things went even better for the townspeople, because one of the royal residences was located in the city, Toledo thus stood on a par with Burgos, Valladolid and Leon, the ancient capitals of the Spanish kingdoms. Even after the capital's functions were completely transferred to Madrid, Toledo remained the most important religious center; the souls of the king's subjects were looked after by the archbishops of Toledo, and not those of Madrid or Valladolid. The archbishop's residence was located next to the grandiose Cathedral of St. Mary, surrounded by ancient buildings - through wars and disasters, Toledo managed to deliver its historical center in our time intact and perfectly preserved. Visiting tourists invariably remain enchanted by the marvelous landscapes, of which the city is unusually rich...
To get to Toledo from Madrid without a car, there are two ways. The first, by train from Atocha Station, takes less time; Renfe express trains cover a distance of 74 kilometers in just 33 minutes. True, the price of a Madrid-Toledo ticket is 12.60 euros one way, despite the fact that travel by bus costs half as much, 5.20 euros (if you immediately buy a round-trip ticket, it will cost less, 9 euros), and there is also the opportunity to get to Toledo free. Indeed, those who have a Madrid "T" zone transport card do not have to pay for the intercity bus to Toledo, they simply need to present their ticket at the entrance to the transport. Again, it’s a long way from the Toledo train station to the city center, while the bus station is located a five-minute walk away; before you get out, there are the city walls. There is only an important nuance related to how to get to Toledo from Madrid by bus: the cities are connected by two lines, 401 and 402; The first route goes straight along the highway, and therefore the journey takes about an hour. Most tourists choose this option, which is why there is always a risk of not getting on the next flight - just before departure, there may simply be no empty seats in the cabin. With bus 402 it is easier in this regard, there are always seats there, but you should not covet this emptiness, because passengers will have numerous stops in the suburbs of the Spanish capital, and such a trip from Madrid to Toledo will take more than two hours. In short, you have been warned, otherwise, when they see two identical cars with a sign “Toledo - Madrid”, some rush to the half-empty bus, which they later bitterly regret...
Buses to Toledo used to depart from the Mendez Alvaro bus station, but when I showed up there just now, I was rather rudely informed that, they say, everything has changed a long time ago, the Southern Bus Station is now given over to long-distance flights, and those who want to get from Madrid to Toledo by bus you need a bus station “Plaza Ecliptica”. Fortunately, this place turned out to be nearby, the metro station of the same name is located directly under the building of the new bus terminal, from “Mendez Alvaro” there are 4 stops directly on the circular metro line.
The necessary flights depart quite often, you just need to not confuse routes 401 and 402 - as I already said, nothing bad will happen, but the wasted time will not be returned... So go up a couple of levels from the metro and look for the corresponding signs. You have to wait for the next check-in behind the glass doors, sometimes there is a queue there, but usually everything works out the way...
The Toledo bus station is quite large and spacious, but since it has a lot of routes from all over the area, there are a lot of people inside the building - to be honest, tourists alone would be enough, but there is also the local population. Because of this, there is a feeling of whirlwind, fuss and fuss of people, every now and then bumping into signs “Tickets to Madrid are not sold here.” On the other hand, the service staff knows very well that the standard tourist wants to leave Toledo for Madrid, and not for Cuenca or somewhere else, so if you have any difficulties, feel free to contact the Spaniards.
Buses to Madrid depart from Toledo from the underground parking lot located in the part of the terminal farthest from the city center; you can go down either by elevator or by escalators, and it is better to do this immediately before departure: there is nowhere to sit near the platforms and nothing to do at all, while at the top there is a waiting room, cafes, souvenir shops and, what is important for many, at the bus station Toledo has a storage room with approximately 25 cells; Tokens for it are sold by employees of the information office.
A walk through the historical quarters lying south of the bus station will be easier if you have a map of Toledo at your disposal - you will have to walk along winding streets, and without a map you will hardly be able to see all the interesting objects. So, in any case, it would be good to visit the tourist office of Toledo, located near the Bisagra gate, before entering the old city; If you start from the bus station, you will have to turn right at the roundabout ahead, move along the hillside and walk to the round square, where there will be an ancient gate on the left and a tour office on the right. The reward for the hike will be a map of Toledo and some booklets describing the attractions. At the tourist office you can also get information about excursions around Toledo - the idea of using a tourist bus when exploring the city is not a bad idea. A ticket to ride in the two-story colossus costs 8 euros, which is not that much money considering the hilly terrain and the intricacy of the buildings. In addition, the ticket is valid for the whole day, so after riding a full circle, savvy tourists then get out near the buildings they like, inspect them and board the next flight. Unfortunately, among the half-dozen languages in which the Toledo tour is conducted, there is no Russian, so Russians have to use the English channel.
The tour bus in Toledo makes visits approximately every hour, starting from the Plaza de Zocodover, which is directly in the old city, but it is convenient to catch it at the Bisagra gate, right where the tourist office is located.
I’ll also say a few words about the tourist train that takes people for rides every hour - for 4 euros, tourists get the opportunity to see all the sights of Toledo in one sitting, and unlike the bulky “double decker,” the road train rides even through the narrow streets of the center. An additional bonus of the train is that it travels outside the ancient quarters, which allows you to see not only the main, but also little-known attractions that are usually rarely visited. The rides start from the same Zocodover square, but there is no stop at the tour office, and in general such excursions around Toledo do not make stops.
The Bisagra Gate marks the main, main entrance to the historical part of the city, and it is interesting to walk through them in a solemn march, but few people dare to do this: to the right and left of this point there are almost invisible escalators that take the city guest directly to the fortress walls that encircle Toledo. . Therefore, those who want to save energy take a look or two at the beautiful gates, and then follow the signs for the ascent. Let's still respect the antiquity of the building, because Puerto Bisagra, after all, was built for the triumphal entry into the city of King Charles V, who ruled, without exaggeration, half the world in the middle of the 16th century. The basis for the construction was the ancient foundations left over from the times of the Moors, and this is also symbolic - new life arose on the outdated old stuff. Pay attention to the huge coat of arms decorating the gate; the idea of its creation belonged entirely to the monarch.
Having climbed the streets paved with stones to a decent height, a visitor to the city encounters the Church of St. Nicholas, a rather gloomy building that does not differ in either architecture or design. And all because in the 18th century the building, originally built in the Baroque style, was subjected to alterations, during which it lost its original appearance. Therefore, it is better not to focus your attention on this landmark of Toledo and, turning onto Calle Cadenas, rush to the cathedral, the pearl of medieval architecture.
According to the architects' plan, the Toledo Cathedral was supposed to outshine the giant in Chartres, but at the same time have a national Spanish flavor. Overall, this idea was a success, and the main temple of the ancient city looks simply stunning. It remains to be regretted that in the five centuries that have passed since the completion of construction work, the surrounding buildings have approached the Gothic walls almost closely, so it is not possible to fully assess the size of the building. In fact, only the main facade, decorated with many statues, is available for full-scale contemplation; Pilgrims are especially attracted to the Portal of Forgiveness, for it is believed that those who pass through this gate will receive complete remission of sins.
Under its arches, the Toledo Cathedral stores priceless works of art; leading masters of their craft worked on its design, and therefore each of the chapels is a kind of museum in miniature. It is enough to name the names of El Greco, Francisco Goya and Van Dyck to make it clear what caliber of creativity we are talking about. Entrance to the cathedral costs 7 euros, but the entrance fee is charged only during “non-opening” hours - the Toledo Cathedral acts as a temple, and during the masses you can quietly explore its magnificent decoration.
Neighboring the huge building is the palace of the Archbishop of Toledo, which is also quite large in size, only it is extended not upward, but in length. It occupies the entire side of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and at first glance it looks like the residence of a wealthy feudal lord - in any case, the building does not at all look like the abode of a spiritual ruler calling for “mercy for the fallen.” The archbishops of Toledo began the formation of such a large palace ensemble back in the 13th century, when one of them took over several buildings in the city center, building himself an estate, and since then his followers have successfully continued the tradition of seizures; The unification work that took place in the 16th and 17th centuries brought an end to this long-term activity. Now the Palace of the Archbishops is considered one of the significant attractions of Toledo, a monument of ancient architecture.
From the cathedral and the palace the roads go in different directions; it is best to choose Calle la Trinidad, which, past the Church of San Salvador built on the site of an ancient mosque, will lead to the most interesting places in the city. First, you will need to look into the Church of San Tome, crowned with a beautiful tower and housing a masterpiece of world-class painting, the painting “The Burial of Count Orgaz”, painted by El Greco. Interestingly, this work by an outstanding artist never left the walls of the temple, as it was written by him specifically to decorate its interiors. Those who do not regret 2 euros for the entrance ticket can see this extraordinary painting.
For the sake of the next object, you will have to move a little to the side from the general course to the southwest, walking along Calle Santo Tome a little further than you should. This “slope” leads to the facade of the monastery of San Antonio, nondescript on the outside, but very informative on the inside: the buildings of a former Arab palace were adapted as a monastery for monks in the 16th century, and both the decor of the buildings and the decoration of the monastery church deserve attention. You should not expect particularly vivid impressions from this visit, but this interesting piece of Toledo will become one of the important fragments of the mosaic that shapes the overall appearance of the city.
Another important piece of the mosaic is found in the back streets of the former Jewish ghetto, Khuderiya. Over the many centuries of its existence, the Jewish quarter of Toledo has seen both ups and downs - at times the Juderia was filled with thousands of residents, but then political vicissitudes reduced their number to a minimum. The city’s Jewish community was finally dealt with in 1492, when a decree of the most Christian kings of Spain confronted those who professed Judaism with a choice: convert to the faith of Christ or go to all four directions. Most Jews chose the latter option, and this marked the end of the Toledo Juderia. The rich houses and property of the exiles were auctioned off, and only memories remained of the former prosperity. Now the Jewish quarter of Toledo is just a pale shadow of its past, and yet a walk through the area gives many impressions. You can finish your acquaintance with the life of medieval Jews with a visit to the Sephardi Museum, where numerous objects of Jewish culture are collected.
On one of the streets of the Jewish quarter there is also the El Greco Museum, which tells about the life and work of the outstanding Spanish painter. The artist, who settled in Toledo, lived for almost thirty years in a rented house, which later became a museum. True, the original building was not preserved, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was recreated, simultaneously adding to it a neighboring building, also given over to the exhibition. Entrance to the El Greco Museum costs only 3 euros, a small price to pay for the opportunity to see masterpieces of painting.
Near the El Greco Museum there is an observation deck, one of many in Toledo that offers views of the entire surrounding area. Excellent shots are taken in this part of the city in the morning; in the evening the setting sun is somewhat blinding and spoils the pictures. Therefore, for greater importance, it is better to take beautiful photographs of Castile in the afternoon from the terraces looking east.
I note that the attractions of Toledo are not limited to those described above, and many more interesting things await guests of the city. For example, on Calle Reyes Catolicos there is a Franciscan monastery built in the last quarter of the 14th century to commemorate the victory of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella over Portugal. The monastery, which is an interesting mixture of Gothic, Spanish style and Flemish motifs, looks quite good.
Another monastery with the long name Santo Domingo el Antiguo is also not bad. Built in the 16th century, the complex houses a rich collection of works by the great El Greco. Two euros for entry and these artistic treasures are at your disposal.
A real masterpiece of architecture is the Church of San Ildefonso; I approached the building from the side and at first it seemed a little unsightly to me, but as soon as I turned the corner, the façade of the temple dispelled all doubts - a true pearl of the Baroque style appeared before me. Inside, however, the decor is not as impressive as outside, but still the temple looks simply marvelous. It immediately becomes clear why the construction was delayed so much, for a century and a half, because the rich design required titanic efforts. Well, the Jesuits have always been fans of luxuriously decorating their churches, and in 1765, when San Ildefonso was commissioned, the adherents of Ignatius Loyola were probably satisfied with the execution of the order.
The churches of Toledo are quite capable of taking up a whole day, which is how long a walk around the city usually lasts - people come from Madrid in the morning and return in the evening. Therefore, in the evening the city streets are usually empty, although during the day, as soon as you step away from the paths trodden by excursion groups, you plunge into solitude; This is roughly what Venice begins to look like a couple of blocks from Piazza San Marco. No, no, and one of the local residents will sneak by, and perhaps the car will pass for once, although I personally was surprised at what narrow alleys Spanish drivers manage to drive into - there are some places I wouldn’t go into, just for fear of scratching the car, but they seem to care, and scratches on the sides don’t seem to count as damage...
Let's return, however, from the depths of the ancient quarters to the busy streets: you need to figure out where to buy souvenirs in Toledo and you also want to have an inexpensive lunch. For the first problem, a solution has been found: Calle de Nuncio Viejo and its immediate surroundings offer endless possibilities of choice. For example, in house 19 there was an Art-Croix shop selling Navajo knives, Moorish-style keychains, and, of course, magnetic plates. The first floor of building 1 is occupied by the Adolfo store, where swords, shields, armor of knights and other paraphernalia are on the sales floor - local gunsmiths have long been famous for their skill, and Toledo steel was very highly valued. I even wanted to photograph all this beauty when I discovered a large, clearly visible notice asking not to take photographs; Apparently, I’m not the only one who admired the militaristic landscape, but I’m just not sure that visitors, no matter how delighted they seem, are making purchases - 200 euros for a two-meter double-edged sword can still be shelled out, but then how can you get it home?..
This street and the Jesuit Church are connected by Calle de Alfonso, also a prominent place on the topic of buying souvenirs in Toledo. I advise you to look into the sixth house, decorated with the “Asol” sign, where there are skillfully made copies of Toledo landmarks, magnets for 2 euros, mugs, spoons and other products. And here’s another place, under the “wing” of the cathedral, at the very end of Calle del Cardenal Cisneros, which lies on the right side of the giant - the Alfonso store sells decorative daggers and other paramilitary paraphernalia. Smaller blades cost 15 euros, and a knight's coat of arms framed by two blades - a composition that would not be shameful to hang on the wall - will cost twice as much. All this production looks damn entertaining...
As usual, I bring from the mass of private shops I have seen those that I liked either for their assortment or for their low prices, so you can buy souvenirs in Toledo at almost every step, as well as all kinds of food. Another question is that in the historical center of the city any purchase, be it a bottle of water or a sandwich, will cost two to three times more than outside it. While I was walking from the station to the Bisagra gate, I bought a box of juice for 0.79 euros, and a grocery store in the center of Toledo, on Calle Santa Isabel, shamelessly sells the same package for two and a half - tourists have nowhere to go...
So there are shops in the center of Toledo, and, say, Calle del Hombre de Palo, together with Calle Comercio, are overcrowded with retail outlets, but the prices for any product invariably turn out to be way overpriced. As a rule, prices for food are also inflated; it is not always possible to eat inexpensively in the center of Toledo, but if you come across cafes and restaurants with affordable price tags during a tour of Toledo, you should definitely note. On my own behalf, I can recommend the diner “La Custodia”, in house 1 on Calle Pozo Amargo - you won’t find cheaper places in the vicinity of the cathedral. For 5 euros, a visitor gets a hefty sandwich with meat and vegetables, which he can eat on one of the benches in front of the Archbishop's Palace: here he gets both aesthetic and physical pleasure. Another useful place is on Plaza de San Antonio, opposite the Monastery of San Antonio - and from noon to six in the evening at the La Sierra restaurant there is a special offer for a set lunch. Thanks to him, a full three-course meal will cost 12 euros, and this price includes a glass of wine. In short, a good option to eat inexpensively in the center of Toledo.
I also remember the cafe “El Medieval”, on the back of the Church of San Ildefonso, the exact address is Calle San Roman 4. There, guests are greeted by the figure of a knight in full battle garb, attracting attention and attracting passers-by. Coffee costs 2 euros, a little cheaper than in other establishments, but the tables are only inside, and there are not enough of them, you have to sit in a cramped space...
Many tourists, desperate to eat inexpensively in the center of Toledo, turn their attention to fast food - McDonald's on Plaza de Zocodover is always packed with people. Personally, I am categorically against this practice, and if you don’t have money and want to eat, then it’s better to cross the busy square and find the bakery “Mazapan el Foro” in house 8, where you can buy cinnamon rolls or cookies baked according to Spanish recipes, this is better than killing hamburgers. By the way, this is a completely reasonable idea, and since the observation decks on the ancient walls are almost nearby, you can sit at the parapet with the purchased baked goods, enjoying the scenery and refreshing your tired body. Well, even if excursions around Toledo are very exhausting due to the constant ascents and descents, there are more than enough impressions.
El Escorial and Aranjuez, two of the most famous royal residences, where we will now head, can also bring vivid impressions of the cities around Madrid...
While vacationing in Madrid, do not miss the opportunity to visit the ancient capital of majestic Spain - Toledo. This is an amazingly beautiful city, sung in poetry and forever becoming a source of warmth and inspiration in the hearts of tourists who have visited it. But this is where many people have a question: how to get in the Madrid-Toledo direction. I will be happy to share this information with you and will try to tell you in as much detail as possible how to get to Toledo, how and how much the trip will actually cost, depending on the chosen method.
These two cities are separated by a road of almost 75 km. It is not difficult to calculate that at this distance the travel time will be from 40 minutes to 1 hour. There are various ways to get to Toledo from Madrid: by train, bus, car or taxi. I will talk about each of them in more detail.
By car
If you decide to travel around, then you have an excellent opportunity to see many colorful cities in the country. When traveling by car, you have complete freedom of action without being tied to time.
The A-42 highway runs from Madrid to Toledo. You need to follow the signs for Getafe/Toledo/R-5/Badajoz. The best route: Madrid – Leganés – Parla – Illescas – Olías del Rey. You will then need to take exit 68B towards Toledo/Centro Urbano. Then at the roundabout take the third exit onto Ctra. Madrid, then onto Calle Marqués de Mendigorría (third exit at the roundabout). Continue along Calle Cardenal Tavera. On the next lap you need to take the 2nd exit onto Paseo Merchán. Then
- You need to go through the roundabout and continue to Toledo.
The cost of travel
In Spain the price of 95 gasoline is 1.59 euros, diesel is 1.55 euros. So, if you drive on gasoline in a car with a fuel consumption of 8 l/100 km, the trip will cost about 14 euros. If you take into account a car with diesel fuel, then it will cost you about 12 euros.
By train
Madrid's main station is called Madrid-Atocha. Comfortable high-speed AVE trains run from this station in Toledo, which will take you to the ancient capital of Spain in just 31-35 minutes.
And this is what the station itself looks like.
- Train timetable in table from Madrid to Toledo (AVANT)
| Departure time | Arrival time |
| 6:50 | 7:23 |
| 7:50 | 8:23 |
| 8:50 | 9:23 |
| 9:20 | 9:53 |
| 10:20 | 10:51 |
| 11: 20 | 11:53 |
| 12:20 | 12:53 |
| 13:50 | 14:23 |
| 15:50 | 16:23 |
| 17:50 | 18:23 |
| 18:50 | 19:23 |
| 19:50 | 20:23 |
| 21:50 | 22:23 |
Ticket prices
- The price of a round trip ticket is almost 11 euros per person. The Flexible tariff costs 12.70 euros.
I can say that by train you can get from beautiful Madrid to unique Toledo the fastest. Therefore, I would prefer the train. However, ticket prices cannot be called too low. But, of course, this is still incomparable, for example, with a taxi, which I will talk about later.
By bus
The bus is another great way to get to an exciting city like Toledo. Moreover, unlike the train, the bus will take you almost to the heart of the city. That's what I would call it. Also, unlike the train, bus tickets are cheaper, and you can leave Toledo back at any time, without being tied to a schedule.
A bus between these cities runs every 30 minutes from early morning until late evening. Departure takes place from Plaza Eliptica in Madrid. Travel time is about one hour (but for such savings compared to traveling to Toledo by train, the difference of 30 minutes does not matter much, I think). As for ticket prices, it will cost you no more than 9-10 euros in two directions.
- Purchasing tickets is very convenient, because you can do it at the ticket office right at the station. There shouldn't be any problems with the ticket. There is no need to wait, as I already said, you can leave at any time.
Taxi
But this is the most expensive option of all those described above. I can say that I personally did not take a taxi, but I found out the price both for the sake of idle curiosity and for your sake, of course. Taxi is a comfortable option, but expensive. So, the road from Madrid to wonderful Toledo will cost you about 120-150 euros - an impressive amount compared to other methods. A taxi to Toledo is an expensive pleasure for those who have a lot of money and who like to travel in increased comfort. At the same time, the travel time will be just over an hour, and this is even longer than by bus.
Toledo is an incredibly cozy and colorful town, more reminiscent of fairy-tale landscapes than a real city. Coming here, you plunge into an atmosphere of mystery and magic. Narrow streets, flowerpots with flowers overhead, amazing, picturesque nature leave an indelible impression on even the most experienced tourists.
- I hope that I was able to help you choose the most convenient way to move from beautiful Madrid to amazing Toledo. Have a good mood and lots of positive emotions from your trip! With love, Jookin for you!